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Services: Borders and Inlays

Adding Further Distinction
Michigan’s Best Deck Builders seldom builds a deck that doesn’t have a “pictureframe” border installed around the perimeter. Oftentimes, we’ll also run a board within the deck that’s perpendicular to the rest of the decking — it’s a signature feature of our decks. Why? For a couple of reasons, really. For one, options like borders and inlays can make a deck distinctive. They’re usually done in colors that are different from the decking and railings to stand out. So a border and inlay can provide another accent to an already excellent deck.

However, borders and inlays do have a function beyond their distinctive look. Besides a border adding an accent and a contrast to your deck, a border provides a visual perimeter when you’re walking, making it easier to see where your deck ends and you’ll need to step down.

Creating an inlay pattern is a great way to visually break up a big, solid-color deck, and the pattern can get as complex as you desire. More importantly, an inlay can help eliminate splicing and butt joints (the seams that join two boards together). Composite boards come in a maximum 20-foot length. So inevitably, for decks that are longer, the boards need to be joined together. These seams can diminish the look and integrity of an otherwise gorgeous deck. An inlay can help minimize that problem, hiding the seam.

Borders and inlay patterns first became available as the interest in composite decking grew and composite manufacturers began making boards in more colors. That’s when it made sense to add borders and create inlay patterns to further enhance a deck’s design.